The Cretan Federation of Australia and New Zealand celebrated their 40th anniversary, as well as the 20th anniversary of the Youth Federation, with a successful book launch on Monday night.
Held at the Hermes Lounge in Kogarah, the launch was attended by about 60 people who were all excited to get their hands on a copy of the special book publication, which features the history and achievements of the Cretan Federation over the last 40 years.
Official proceedings on the night began with Master of Ceremonies, Hara Lavdioti, introducing a number of speakers to the stage.
Photos: Cretan Association of Sydney & NSW Facebook.
First up was the President of the Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney, Liana Vertzayias, who described the Lyceum’s costume exhibition which is currently on display at the Lounge for a limited time.
From there, the President of the Cretan Association of Sydney & NSW, Terry Saviolakis, as well as past President of the Cretan Federation, Peter Sarikakis, gave small speeches. They both praised the work of the current committee in organising successful community events and keeping the Cretan culture and heritage alive in Australia.
Photos: Cretan Association of Sydney & NSW Facebook.
Current President of the Cretan Federation, Tony Tsourdalakis, then took to the stage to speak about the history of the organisation, as well as the book itself.
Later, Mr Tsourdalakis presented Mr Sarikakis with a copy of the anniversary book as a special thank you, and Mr Saviolakis received a commemorative plate from the Eleftherios Venizelos National Institute in Chania.
“I would like to congratulate the Cretan Federation on 40 years of hard work and achievements and I hope the next generation will continue this work for years to come,” Mr Saviolakis tells The Greek Herald.
If you are in Sydney and would like to purchase a copy of the book, please contact Mr Saviolakis on president@cretannsw.com.au.
Inner West Council Mayor, Darcy Byrne, has confirmed that Enmore Road, including the renowned Greek-owned Enmore Theatre, will become the first ‘Special Entertainment Precinct’ in NSW.
This news comes after members of the Inner West Council unanimously passed a motion last night, calling for the popular inner west theatre to be granted so-called ‘special entertainment precinct’ privileges under the Liquor Amendment (Night-time Economy) Act 2020.
The unanimous vote will see the venue become the first in Sydney to be further protected from noise complaints, as they will now be dealt with by the Inner West Council themselves.
The theatre will also be allowed to extend trading hours on live music and performance nights.
“This groundbreaking change will give real incentives for venues to host live music instead of pokies, through late trading allowances and reduced avenues for noise complaints against music venues,” Mayor Byrne said in a Facebook post.
Century Venues, the owners of Enmore Theatre, welcomed the news with open arms.
“The designation of the Enmore Theatre as an entertainment precinct under the new legislation is a great step forward not just for us at Century Venues but the entire live performance sector,” Century Venues Executive Director, Greg Khoury, said.
“No other night time business generates greater economic flow-on effects to communities than live performance spaces.”
AHEPA Chapter Artemis No 5 Inc. is holding a lecture on Sunday, May 30 at 3pm at the Ashbury Panarcadian Federation Club to discuss the prevalence of domestic violence in Australia, including multicultural communities.
Titled ‘Domestic Violence Affects Us All,’ the lecture will be given by keynote speaker and solicitor, Mary Nagle, who will discuss the early signs that foretell the likely onset of violence in the home, in a relationship, at work or any other situation where there is ongoing interaction among people.
Ms Nagle will also explain the different aspects of family or relationship violence, the implications and the law and options available to those who need to escape from relationship violence.
According to data provided by NSW Police, domestic violence claims one life every 15 days. In just one decade, from October 2008 through to September 2018, the number of victims of domestic violence climbed up to 285. The tragic reality of this number is that some of the victims were children.
“It is topical at the moment to talk about relationship violence. There is so much of it in the news, but so much more of it in people’s lives especially from the ethnic communities which we do not usually hear about,” Ms Nagle says.
“The talk isn’t just for women but it’s for anyone who is, was, or likely to be in a relationship or knows someone in a relationship, whether this is a parent-child relationship, a husband-wife i.e. spousal relationship, a close friendship or partnership. In short it’s for everyone.
“AHEPA Australia, led by the President, Committee and members of Artemis 5 is dedicated to raising awareness and addressing issues affecting those men, women, children and their families who suffer in silence. Artemis 5 will continue to raise funds for causes that concern them…”
Three days after the “Greek Fest Food at the Hunter” event and the disappointment felt by a large number of attendees due to the long food queues and the concerns raised about hygiene and accessibility issues, the community still wonders who is responsible for the situation that sparked widespread outrage on social media.
With a Facebook post, the Greek Festival of Sydney thanked the attendees and apologised to those who “left disappointed,” blaming the lack of food to the main food vendor who “withdrew a week before the event.”
On Tuesday morning, Peter Sinadinos, the owner of Big Fat Greek who was meant to be the festival’s major food sponsor, issued a statement explaining the reasons for withdrawing from the event.
With all the recent misinformation on social media platforms and other media regarding my withdrawal from the Greek Festival of Sydney’s “Greek Fest on the Hunter”, I wish to clarify the series of unfortunate events that ultimately lead to that difficult decision, as I’m sure it was also difficult for the sponsors before me who withdrew.
From the offset, I was approached by the organisers of Greek Festival of Sydney to provide DEFI II’s band and singers as a support act for Dimitrios Basis at the “Greek Fest at the Hunter”, which I offered free of charge as a donation to the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW. Additionally, our conversation raised the prospects of a fundraising ticket-event for the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW’s Aged Care Facility at Earlwood, towards the purchase a bus, and we subsequently offered DEFI II’s venue, band, singers, security staff, light and sound engineers, chefs and kitchen-hands, as well as food as our donation to this wonderful cause. Incidentally, the fundraiser, on Sunday May 16th, was a great success and sell out raising tens of thousands of dollars and all patrons enjoyed this memorable event.
With my relationship with the Greek Festival of Sydney strengthening and growing, I was then offered four stalls at the “Greek Fest at the Hunter” on the Hope Estate, to which I was honoured to be part of this event. At this point, the crowd projection was anticipated to be approximately 2,000 people.
Over many weeks, my team sent many emails to the Greek Festival of Sydney to provide me with important information and infrastructure about how this operation was to be set up as there were many rules and regulations- from councils to health and food regulators- that we had to comply with. Furthermore, there were also Hope Estate’s strict guidelines- with regards to access and set up times to consider with such a major logistical operation, on a site that was two-and-a-half hours from Sydney.
As our business, Big Fat Greek, is not simply a food truck and we promote our business model based on high-quality and fresh products prepared and served efficiently and promptly, our organisation and preparation leading up to the event was continually hampered by several changes- such as power supply, gas supply, projected attendance numbers, number of stalls we needed to operate and access times to set up and test all the equipment (only on Friday, May 21st from 12- 5pm).
When I raised concerns about the uncertainty and confusion surrounding our preparations, I was told words to the effect of, “You stand to make $100,000 in six hours, what is your problem? And if you don’t like it, don’t do it,” to which I replied, “My brand and I are not for sale.”
Power supply for all our equipment included: ten gyros rotisseries, ten hot and cold food displays, eight fryers, food-grade floors, and fridges and freezers, chargrilled machines, and was finally confirmed in conversation to include power. Eight days before the event, I was sent another email, informing me I would need to supply my own generators for power supply, and it should be emphasised the massive size of the generators that would be needed to supply our stalls ran on diesel which was not permitted to be refilled on Hope Estate.
With the organisers of the Greek Festival of Sydney, our paperwork said one thing, our discussions were different, and then our emails different again. Although we fully understand the stresses in organising such a big event as “Greek Fest at the Hunter” and how changes may occur, I was extremely uncomfortable with so much uncertainty and confusion surrounding our preparations and organisation that I could not provide adequate information to the network of businesses and staff I had engaged to ensure a smooth operation for the three stalls which were eventually requested of me from the original agreement of 4.
We were truly looking forward to being part of “Greek Fest on the Hunter” and confident we could service the crowd- on our shop prices, not inflated festival prices- as we are an established brand with multiple prospective locations across Sydney, and appreciate the stresses the community have faced in the past year. It was unfortunate, and not easy, that I had to come to this difficult decision to withdraw from “Greek Feast at the Hunter”.
I would like to wish all the very best to the Greek Festival of Sydney in their future endeavours. I wish to highlight that my businesses are always open and available to support such important events, when organised and structured properly, in our community, and look forward to doing so in the future.
Greek Festival of Sydney responds:
The Greek Herald reached out to the Greek Festival of Sydney organising committee for a comment after obtaining the above statement from Mr Sinadinos and this is what a spokesperson had to say:
The Greek Festival of Sydney maintained frequent communication with Mr & Mrs Sinadinos in the leadup to Greek Fest in the Hunter, supplying them with all the relevant documents and instructions they would require to operate stalls at the event.
The vendor documents and agreements were prepared by Hope Estate and detailed all inclusions for stallholders (including power). Mr Sinadinos signed the vendor application, acknowledging that he had read and fully understood the terms and conditions of the application.
Mr Sinadinos had assured us that he would not have any difficulty in transporting food to the venue from Sydney as his family also operates a truck company. As the attendance numbers grew, the Greek Festival of Sydney sent ticketing updates to Mrs Sinadinos to ensure that they would be able to meet the demands of a crowd of 5000 people. Mrs Sinadinos expressed complete confidence in being able to service all of our patrons.
Despite our support of Big Fat Greek, Hope Estate insisted on adding more food vendors. This was communicated to Mr & Mrs Sinadinos on Thursday 13 May. We received an email from Mr Sinadinos withdrawing from the event on Friday 14 May.
Catering to a crowd of 5000 people is a big undertaking and we can understand it may have been overwhelming for a vendor who had not previously operated in a festival setting. The Greek Orthodox Community of NSW is disappointed that Big Fat Greek were unable to join us at the event, however, we are incredibly grateful to Mr & Mrs Sinadinos for their generosity in hosting a fundraiser which raised money for the purchase of a bus for elderly residents of the Greek Orthodox Community Home for the Aged.
Greek Foreign Minister, Nikos Dendias, discussed relations between Greece and Russia and Greece’s role in EU-Russia relations in a meeting with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, in Sochi on Monday.
In a joint press conference, Dendias shared his optimism that Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, will be able to visit Russia in 2021, and highlighted Greece’s consistent position on normalising relations between Russia and the European Union.
“It is the desire of the Greek government to restore relations between the Union and Russia to what it was in the past, and not to deteriorate further,” Dendias said.
In a joint press conference, Dendias shared his optimism that Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, will be able to visit Russia in 2021.
“We believe Russia is an integral part of the security structure of Europe and has an important role to play in countering regional and international challenges.”
He also noted the importance of maintaining open communication between Russia and the EU, in an effort to “return to an atmosphere of mutual respect, normalisation, and following that at a later time, a strengthening of EU-Russian ties.” Dendias said that this is the message Mitsotakis will bring to his EU counterparts.
The two ministers also discussed financial issues, including trade and tourism.
“We have been ready for a week to welcome Russians who desire to visit Greece and have been vaccinated or are in possession of a negative test. I have asked the Russian side to restart flights between the two countries. I am repeating this publicly and I asked the minister himself,” he said.
Στις διευρυμένες συνομιλίες των αντιπροσωπειών 🇬🇷🇷🇺. Συζητήσαμε για τη διμερή & την πολυμερή συνεργασία, καθώς και για τις περιφερειακές εξελίξεις. Εxpanded talks between 🇬🇷🇷🇺 delegations. Βilateral & multilateral cooperation, regional developments in focus. pic.twitter.com/lbUGfM2E89
On his side, Lavrov discussed the long bonds that connect Greece and Russia, going as far back as 1827 and Russian intervention in the Greek War of Independence.
Lavrov stated that cooperation between the two countries continues to gradually improve, particularly with the contribution of constructive political dialogue at the highest level.
“Today we examined the progress of applying the deals achieved by the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, as well as the decisions discussed during the meeting of the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Mikhail Mishustin on March 24 and their telephone conversation on May 5,” he said.
Greek industrialist and shipowner, Constantinos Angelopoulos, died in Athens on Monday aged 76.
He had suffered from a rare form of arthritis from a young age that had gradually impaired his mobility.
Angelopoulos was the son of the Panagiotis Angelopoulos, who was the founder of Chalivourgiki, Greece’s first steel foundry and works. The company was closely associated with the course of the country’s economy and the construction of major infrastructural works in the 1950s.
Greek industrialist and shipowner, Constantinos Angelopoulos, died in Athens on Monday aged 76.
He also had a brother called Theodoros.
After completing ASOEE, the current Athens University of Economics & Business, he continued his studies in Switzerland before getting involved with the family business.
He also ventured into the shipping industry, and was the managing director of Arcadia Shipmanagement Co Ltd, which he ran with his sons Panagiotis and Giorgos.
With a Church Service held at the St Dimitrios Orthodox Church, followed by a wreath laying ceremony and the raising of the Pontian, Australian and Armenian flags at the Salisbury Memorial Park, South Australia’s community paused on Sunday, May 23, to commemorate the 102nd anniversary of the genocide of Pontian Hellenism.
Photo: Pontian Brotherhood SA
Present for the proceedings were members and representatives of the Greek and the wider community as well as special guest and dignitaries, including but not limited to the Consul General of Greece in Adelaide George Psiachas; politicians Steve Georganas, Joe Szakacs and Stephen Mullighan; Mayor of the City of Salisbury Gillian Aldridge; member of SAMEAC Andriana Christopoulos; President of the Armenian Cultural Association of SA Elena Gasparyan and Fr Christos Tsoraklidis.
The multi-event commemoration ceremony continued with speeches and a light meal at the Pontian Brotherhood’s clubrooms in Pennington.
Photos: The Greek Herald/Argyro Vourdoumpa
In his speech, Federal Member for Adelaide, Steve Georganas, called the Morrison government to follow the example of US President, Joe Biden and formally recognise the genocide of Armenians, Pontian Greeks and Assyrian Christians in Asia Minor. Georganas also announced that with MPs from other parties he is planning to move a motion on the issue, in the Australian Parliament.
Stephen Mullighan MP, who is married to a Pontian, expressed his pride for the Pontian heritage that runs in the family and extended his support to the Brotherhood.
Photos: The Greek Herald/Argyro Vourdoumpa
The president of the Armenian Cultural Association of SA, Elena Gasparyan, said that Armenians and Pontians are the same and assured the audiences that the fight for the recognition of the Genocide is common and needs to continue. Ms Gasparyan also commended SA MPs, Irene Pnevmatikos and Tom Koutsantonis on their leadership regarding the issue.
The Brotherhood’s Chair person, Yanni Papadopoulos, spoke extensively about the history of the Pontian Greek Genocide and said that it’s important for the old generation to pave the way for young people and encourage them to step up and continue the Pontian legacy and culture.
Photo: The Greek Herald/Argyro Vourdoumpa
In an emotional speech, the Brotherhood’s President, Nazareth Nalpantidis Chisholm, shared her family’s story and promised that the sacrifices of the Pontian Hellenism will never be forgotten before she went on to thank the Committee and volunteers for their efforts.
The afternoon concluded with a commemorative dance performance from the Pontian Dance Groups.
Pontian Eagles Heritage Game
One day before the Pontian Brotherhood’s events, on Saturday May 22nd, the Pontian Eagles Soccer Club took on Port Adelaide Pirates in their annual Heritage Game.
The Senior Men’s team wore a replica shirt of the ‘Pontos,’ football team made by students at the Anatolia College in Merzifon.
Photo supplied by: Pontian Eagles
Just before 7pm the Senior team walked onto the pitch accompanied by junior dancers from the Pontian Brotherhood of SA, game officials and Port Adelaide Pirates players where one minute’s silence was observed.
Photo supplied by: Pontian Eagles
“I was unfortunately unable to make the field. Just before kick-off though, standing there on the pitch and wearing the shirt, during the minute silence and looking around at the large crowd of people, the Pontian dance group, my team mates in the shirt beside me, it made me feel an overwhelming sense of honour for being a Pontian,” club player Lazaros Gialamas told The Greek Herald.
Photo supplied by: Pontian Eagles
“At the same time, this moment made me realise how important not only commemorating May 19 is, but any event whereby we promote our identity and culture in ensuring our people aren’t forgotten,” he said.
Photo supplied by: Pontian Eagles
Despite the loss, with two goals in the final 5 minutes of the game, the Eagles left with their heads up for a great game and promised to be back next year.
From a very young age, Jenny Zagas, was passionate about helping people. She tells The Greek Herald how she always used to translate for newly arrived Greek migrants such as her uncle, or “helped the old lady at the supermarket who couldn’t be understood.”
“I didn’t have to try. It just came naturally to me,” Ms Zagas says.
So naturally in fact, that Ms Zagas decided to become a teacher in special education. In this role, she provides educational programs for students with high and moderate support needs, including intellectual and physical disabilities, sensory impairments and complex medical conditions.
This is something, Ms Zagas says, that wasn’t always easily understood by those around her.
“In those days you didn’t really talk about disability… the older generation didn’t really know that special schools existed. So I needed to explain to them my philosophy that every child can learn, and every child has the right to an education,” Ms Zagas explains passionately.
Jenny Zagas at Lucas Gardens School. Photo supplied.
Of course, Ms Zagas’ parents were incredibly supportive of her decision to work in special education and because of this support, she was able to complete her primary teaching degree and a special education course.
Ms Zagas then started working at Caroline Chisholm special school for ten years, before moving to Marrickville Public School and later becoming Assistant Principal of the ‘support unit’ at Gardeners Road Public School. But then, after 11 years, Ms Zagas was lucky enough to become the Principal at Lucas Gardens School and she has never looked back.
‘This is not a hospital. It is a school’:
The first task which Ms Zagas took on as Principal of the special education school, was a complete rebuild of the premises in Canada Bay, NSW. The school community was already fundraising for a hydrotherapy pool when Ms Zagas took up the role, but they were short by $250,000.
Cue a supportive Greek community who rallied around Ms Zagas and, with the help of George Zakos and his wife Barbara, organised a dinner dance at La Montage to raise the necessary funds.
Hydrotherapy pool. Photo supplied / Evolving Picture.
“We got the money for the hydrotherapy pool, which was $1 million. So then I had a discussion with the Department of Education and said, ‘look we’re getting this state-of-the-art hydrotherapy pool, what’s the possibility of getting a new school’?” Ms Zagas explains.
“Later, in the 2015 Federal Budget, it was announced that Lucas Gardens School was going to get a rebuild. So that was amazing.”
As Principal, Ms Zagas played a significant role in the rebuild as she was always on site choosing “the finishing touches” and “every piece of furniture.” This, Ms Zagas says, was a privilege as it helped her maintain her ultimate educational goal.
Hydrotherapy pool. Photo supplied / Evolving Picture.
“One of my biggest commitments is to move away from a therapy model… So it is a teaching facility. It is not a hospital. It is not a rehab centre. It is a school,” Ms Zagas states.
“And you know, when people come to Lucas Gardens, the first thing they say is that it looks like the school down the road, like Trinity Grammar. It doesn’t look any different, apart from the wheelchairs you see, because the focus is teaching and learning.
“So it was a privilege to build the next type of special education facilities for kids with disabilities and young people.”
Males in special education and leadership:
In this state-of-the-art facility, Ms Zagas and her team of committed teachers work hard to ensure their special needs students have the best of everything.
Alicia is receiving the principal award. Photo supplied.
In most cases, there are environmental adjustments for some students, such as those who are legally blind. In high school there is also a shift to a “life skills curriculum,” where students can learn to be as independent as possible. Some students who are non-verbal are also assisted with accessing communication devices to help them with their education experience.
“90 percent of the students at Lucas Gardens are non-verbal, so one of the things I’ve really instilled in my school is that every child must leave in Year 12 with a communication device. That could be hand signing, an iPad with pictures… or even eye gaze,” Ms Zagas says.
With such ground-breaking initiatives taking place at Lucas Gardens, we just had to ask Ms Zagas how she manages to pull it off. Her answer? It all comes down to leadership and of course, putting the person before their disability.
Richard is using his iPad to communicate. Photo supplied.
“One of the things we do with the high school is hold talks around appropriate language… putting the person before the disability. Not saying, ‘the autistic child,’ but saying ‘the young child with autism.’ So one of the things that we do a lot at Lucas Gardens is disability awareness,” she says.
“I [also] have to make some strong decisions about the school, but you have to lead by heart and show that empathy and connection to the students and the families.”
Is this a role which can only be done by females in special education? Ms Zagas believes that’s not the case and says she hopes to see a positive shift in the female to male ratio in special schools.
Jenny hopes to see more males working in special education. School grounds at Lucas Gardens School. Photo supplied / Evolving Picture.
“I know the Department of Education embrace females… I’d love to see more male teachers in special education,” Ms Zagas says.
“One of my jobs as a Principal is to look at the next generation and really encourage our aspiring leaders, both male and female… to take the next step.”
With such clear passion for special schools, there’s no doubt that the future of this unique educational field is in good hands with Ms Zagas.
Kyla-Lee Janakis has been awarded the AHEPA NSW Prize, which is worth $1,000, at Macquarie University’s Languages and Cultures Student Prize-giving Ceremony on May 20.
The ceremony was held at the Arts Precinct Function Centre and MC’d by Dr Jane Hanley who is the Discipline Chair of Languages and Cultures at the university.
In attendance to congratulate Ms Janakis for winning the award on the night was Constantinos Yiannakodimos, Head of the Public Diplomacy Office of Greece in Sydney, representing the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Dr Patricia Koromvokis, Head of the Modern Greek Studies Program at Macquarie University, Theophilus Premetis, President of the Greek Studies Foundation Macquarie University, and Bill Skandalakis, President of AHEPA NSW.
“I am very honoured to have been awarded this prize… I am extremely fortunate and grateful that Macquarie University recognises the importance of the Greek language and culture, and for this reason I had the opportunity to embark on a learning journey about my wonderful heritage,” Ms Janakis tells The Greek Herald about being awarded.
“I am grateful to my teacher Dr Patricia Koromvokis, whose dedication and passion for teaching made me love every moment of my learning experience and I am very grateful for this gift she gave me.”
For her part, Dr Koromvokis says the awards ceremony recognises the efforts of students who work with great diligence, zeal and enthusiasm.
“Kyla, in addition to being an excellent and exemplary student with an unquenchable thirst for learning, is an example of perseverance and dedication,” Dr Koromvokis tells The Greek Herald.
“She is the mother of four girls. I feel lucky to be her lecturer because Kyla proves to everyone around her that it is never too late to set goals and pursue your dreams!”
A number of solemn memorial services and wreath laying ceremonies were held over the weekend in Australia and Greece to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Crete.
This is what went down across the two countries:
Tasmania:
The Greek Community of Tasmania held an early morning wreath laying ceremony at the Hobart Cenotaph to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Crete.
Greek youth dressed in traditional Greek costumes stood proudly at the cenotaph, as a minute’s silence was held and the Ode to the Fallen was read out. The Archepiscopal Vicar of Canberra and Tasmania, Very Reverend Prochoros Anastasiadis, representing His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, and Father Vasilios Verdes from Holy Trinity Church in Hobart, also said a small prayer.
All photos by: Andrew McMaster.
This was followed by a number of prominent members from the Greek community, as well as state government and military representatives, laying wreaths.
This included, but is not limited to, the President of the Cretan Federation of Australia and NZ, Tony Tsourdalakis, the President of the Cretan Association of Tasmania, John Fiotakis, the Governor of Tasmania, Kate Warner AC, Elise Archer MP, representing Tasmanian Premier, Peter Gutwein, David O’Byrne MP, representing the Tasmanian Labor Party, and Cassy O’Connor MP, Leader of the Tasmanian Greens.
A formal reception at the Hellenic House in North Hobart followed the wreath laying service. At the reception, the Hellenic Dancers of Hobart performed a number of Cretan dances, while Mr Tsourdalakis recited a Cretan poem.
Various other speakers also discussed the importance of ensuring Greek people continue to remember and teach future generations the importance of the Battle of Crete.
In Sydney, the Battle of Crete anniversary was commemorated over two days, with a wreath laying ceremony at Martin Place on Saturday and a memorial service at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of The Annunciation of Our Lady in Redfern on Sunday.
The wreath laying was attended by Battle of Crete war veterans, descendants, Members of Parliament and Greek community leaders as they remembered the Greek, Australian, British and New Zealand troops who desperately tried to defend Greece against a huge German airborne assault on May 20, 1941.
Wreath laying ceremony at Martin Place, Sydney. Photos: The Greek Herald / Peter Oglos.
The next day a memorial service at the Greek Orthodox church in Redfern was presided over by His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia.
In attendance at the service were a number of prominent members of the Greek community and politicians including, but not limited to, the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Christos Karras, Peter Poulos MLC, the President of the Cretan Federation of Australia and NZ, Tony Tsourdalakis, the Chairman of the Joint Committee for the Battle of Crete and the Greek Campaign, James Jordan, the Secretary of the Joint Committee, Nick Andriotakis, the President of the Cretan Association of Sydney & NSW, Terry Saviolakis, and the President of the Greek Returned Servicemen League of NSW, Peter Tsigounis.
After the service, a documentary screening was held at St Andrew’s Theological College. The documentary, ‘A Lot of Time for the Greek,’ was made for the Cretan Federation of Australia and New Zealand to commemorate the anniversary.
Greece:
Australia’s Ambassador in Greece, Arthur Spyrou, attended a number of events over the weekend in Greece to commemorate 80 years since the Battle of Crete.
His first stop was to Chania on the Greek island of Crete, where he and his sons paid tribute to the fallen ANZACs at the 42nd Street Memorial. They also listened to the stories of the elders in Rethymno about the battle.
Ambassador Spyrou with his sons.
Stavromenos Memorial.
From there, Ambassador Spyrou went to the Stavromenos Memorial on the island and visited the adjacent street named after Sir Ian Campbell, the commander of the Australian and Greek forces in Rethymno. He laid a wreath to pay tribute to their service and sacrifice.
Next up was the Hellenic-Australian Memorial in Rethymno where Ambassador Spyrou laid a wreath and presented student awards and a donation to the local Metropolis, on behalf of RSL National as a token of Australia’s eternal gratitude to the brave Cretan people for their generosity, camaraderie and self-sacrifice aiding the ANZACs.
Ambassador Spyrou’s last stop was the Commonwealth War Graves Commission at Souda Bay Cemetery.
